Bill the IV

For the fourth time, there will be a newly designed $100 dollar bill.  The Federal Reserve estimates that this new $100 dollar bill will make its debut on October 8^th, 2013.  The fancy and ‘high-tech’ bill will be one-of-a-kind and has several security features.

This bill has over a decade’s worth of research put into it, including its safety and designs aspects.  The new $100 bill aims to eliminate counterfeits by having a 3-D security ribbon, blue in color, down the front of the bill.  The blue ribbon also ‘moves’ when you tilt your cash from side to side.  This bright feature is not just printed on to the bill, but is actually woven into its fibers.  This security ribbon is not the only thing that transforms, the bell and ‘100’ on the front of the bill also switche from a copper color to a green color when the bill is tilted back and forth.  The shift from gold to green can make this security bell seem as though it disappears into the bill.

When you hold your new $100 bill under light, you’ll also notice a second image of Benjamin Franklin.  This faint face appears to the right of the main portrait and can be seen from either side of the bill.  While you’re ‘looking into the light’, you’ll also see a thread that is embedded vertically to the left of Benjamin’s face.  This additional security thread has both the number ‘100’ and the letters ‘USA’ in an alternating pattern.  Like Benjamin’s second portrait, this can be seen from either side of the bill, and when lit by a UV light, glows a bright pink color.

One of the most notable visual changes on the new $100 bill is the gold ‘100’ running along the back side of the bill.  This helps set the new style apart from the old.  When your rub your fingers over the bill, you’ll feel that aspects of Benjamin’s portraits are embossed, or raised from the rest.  This feature on his left shoulder is another major distinguishing factor in U.S. currency.

As mentioned, this is the fourth time that our Benjamin Franklin featured bill has been revamped and redesigned.  The three prior changes were all made in the last 20 years alone.  These changes and updates are continually working to improve security technology and reduce the ability to counterfeit.  For even more features of the new $100 bill, visit http://www.newmoney.gov/uscurrency/redesigned100.htm!  

Youth Week 2013!

Who’s ready for some fun? At St. Cloud Federal Credit Union, we are very excited to announce Youth Week 2013, coming to our St. Cloud and Sartell locations the week of April 21^st – 27^th! We would love to have you come and help us celebrate National Credit Union Youth Week at a number of fun events we’ll be hosting…

All week you can stop by to pick up a coloring sheet for our coloring contest and have your “I’m a Star Saver because…” photo taken.  Also during Youth Week, all youth ages 12 and under who open an account at SCFCU will receive a Star Saver bank and gift bag!

Other exciting events include:

Root Beer Floats!

Join us Monday, April 22^nd from 2:30-4:30pm to kick off Youth Week with a delicious treat!  Root Beer floats will be offered at both locations.

Tour the Credit Union!

RSVP to 320-258-2161 by Wednesday 4-24 to have your very own tour of SCFCU on Thursday, April 25^th.  Tour times are at 10:30am, 3:30pm, 4:00pm, and 4:30pm.  There are limited spots available, so call today!

Winner, Winner!

On Friday, April 26^th we’ll choose 3 winners from our coloring contest and 4 random winners of our Star Saver photos and announce them at 3:00pm on our Facebook page.  Each winner will receive $25!

Movie Showing!

On Saturday, April 27^th at 10:00am we’ll be showing Wreck it Ralph in our lower level Community Room at our St. Cloud location (3030 First St. South).  Bring a pillow and blanket, we’ll pop the popcorn! Please RSVP to 320-258-2161 by Friday, 4/26.

We’re so excited to celebrate the Youth in our community and encourage Star Saving!  If you have any questions or would like to RSVP for our fun activities, please call 320-258-2161, or visit our Youth Week page on our website!  We hope to see you all during Youth Week!

Going Green = More Green

As many of you know, April 22^nd is Earth Day!  In effort to create a better understanding of ways we can all contribute to ‘greener’ living, we've been focusing many of our posts around environmental practices and awareness.  Living with Mother Earth in mind is not only good for our conscience, but it can make our wallets feel a little better too! How? Below is a list of ways going green, can help you have more ‘green’… 

1. Aluminum = CHA-CHING

Collecting pop cans is one of the most common forms of recycling.  Did you know you can turn in those aluminum cans for change? In Central MN you can get anywhere from 60-70 cents per pound, which is about 35 cans.  Toss ‘em in a bin and bring ‘em in!

2. Ditch the Plastic

Each year a household can spend up to $700 dollars on buying bottled water.  Choosing to purchase a reasonably priced filter or tap system will not only save you a lot of money in water purchases, but can also help alleviate the amount of plastic thrown away each year (which can be up to 22 billion bottles!).

3. Bags, Bags, Bags

Each year over 380 billion bags are used in the U.S.; that’s over 1,200 bags per person.  Of that 380 billion, only 1-2% gets recycled.  Many residents and shoppers are not aware they can recycle plastic bag, but you can just as you would a pop-can, soup-can, or milk jug.  Another great alternative to plastic bags is bringing your own bag.  Many stores give up to 5 cents for each reusable bag, so you’re doing the environment and your wallet a favor.

4. Better Bulbs

Using an energy efficient light bulb uses around 10 times less energy to create the same amount of light.  Not only are they better for the environment, but they’ll also save you money on your electric bill.

While we’re all for saving money and being more financially fit, we’re always invested in the well-being of our Members and community, and that includes the environment we all live in.  Recycling benefits all of us and our future posterity! Spread the love, go green!

We are People Helping People.


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Life in the Spotlight: Meet Bryce!

Have you seen the Sartell Chamber of Commerce’s April photo caption contest?  If so, you’ve seen the friendly smile of one of SCFCU’s prized employees, Bryce!  We wanted to allow you all to get to know the man behind the photo just a little bit better… who knows, maybe it’ll inspire some ideas for your own caption entry!

Bryce has been a Member Services Representative at our Sartell location for 3 years now.  His favorite part about working at St. Cloud Federal Credit Union are his co-workers (thanks Bryce, we like having you around too)!  Before the life of spotlighted photographs and helping our Members, Bryce dreamed of being a State Trooper in Alaska, which is where he would go if he could vacation anywhere.

While you’ll find Bryce’s smiling face whenever you stop in our lobby, it may fade now and then around this time of year. Why? Well, St. Patrick’s Day (Bryce’s favorite holiday) has passed, Winter (as a true Minnesotan, his favorite season) is coming to an end, and snakes and spiders (the 2 pets Bryce would never have) start to creep and crawl around.  Luckily, Bryce has The Walking Dead and Sons of Anarchy (his favorite TV shows) along with his two sisters to cheer him up!  Bryce’s favorite color is green, he listens to Country and Rap music, and if he could hang out with any celebrity for a day, he’d choose Sheldon Cooper; bazinga!

Bryce is a friendly, cheerful, fun employee to have here at SCFCU and we couldn’t be happier that he is a part of our team.  Thanks for all you do Bryce, we’re lucky to have you!


 We are People Helping People.

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Meet the 2013 Board!

We are both pleased and excited to officially announce our Volunteer Board and Supervisory Committee Members for 2013.

As a result of our recent Membership election, Melissa J. was newly elected to our Board of Directors, and Barry K. was re-elected to the board. 

Our 2013 Board of Directors board includes:   Andrew Johannes, chairperson (elected by the Board); Rick Wurst, first vice chairperson; Jackie Schoenfelder, second vice chairperson; Paula Erdmann; Larry Keenan; Barry Kirchoff; and Melissa Johnson. The 2013 Board-appointed Supervisory committee members include Rod Heiser; Gary Gillitzer; Jill Hoffmann; Luke Seifert; and Jon Grahek. 

Thanks to these Members above for volunteering their time and talent to ensure we are successful as a cooperative financial institution.  We would also like to recognize Tony S. for his past 6 years of service on our board.  Thank you Tony, we appreciate your support and commitment to SCFCU.

An additional 'THANK YOU' goes out to all of you, our valued Members and owners of St. Cloud Federal Credit Union, for participating in our election process.  We're looking forward to another great year! We are People Helping People.


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